Chinese Crested
Lively and alert, the Chinese Crested was first taken outside of their native continent by ancient Chinese traders. They have spotted pink skin, spiky “crested” hairdo, furry socks and feathery tail, which may mislead you to other breed. With fine-boned elegance and graceful movement, this breed is an affectionate companion.
| Other Names | Chinese Crested Dogs, Crested, Puff |
| Color | Apricot, Black, Black White & Tan, Blue, Chocolate, Cream, Palomino, Pink & Chocolate, Pink & Slate, Slate, White |
| Height | Males: 11-13 inches. Females: 9-12 inches. |
| Weight | Males: 5-13 pounds. Females: 5-13 pounds. |
| Life Span | 13-18 years |
| Personality | Affectionate, Alert, Lively |
| Exercise | Regular Exercise |
| Origin |
| Popularity | #80 |
| Groom Needs | Occasional Bath/Brush |
| Kids Friendly | Yes with supervision |
| Dog Friendly | Yes with supervision |
| Watch Dog | |
| Family Dog | |
| Litter Size | 2 to 6 puppies |
Chinese Crested Video
Introduction
You are not going to find a more wonderful companion to spend hours with you on the couch then the Chinese Crested dog. They are laid back with almost no desire to be active and outside like other regular dogs. They can be quite athletic when they get going, and will climb and dig to escape confinement if separated from their owners – his separation anxiety can lead to barking and other destructive habits. Even though they are very social, they don’t accept strangers very easily. He is around 13 inches at the shoulders and weighs about 12 pounds. He can be found in two variants, the Hairless with the silky hair on the head and the Powderpuff variant – this one has a full coat. Powderpuff coats come in colors such as mahogany, blue, lavender, or copper. The skin tones of the Hairless are pink and black. The Chinese Crested is elegant and graceful, often winning Ugly Dog Contests! Some think the Hairless variety needs sunblock and moisturizing lotion on his skin to protect it, but remember, he is not a human and that can just cause problems. His skin has a better chance of staying healthy if nothing is put on his skin. The Chinese Crested doesn’t sweat through his skin, and he has the same body temperature as any other breed. The Hairless Crested is tolerant of heat but he is not tolerant of the cold. Being highly social, the Crested can suffer from separation anxiety and this can lead to barking and other destructive habits. Look at their feet – when compared to other breeds, the Chinese Crested has elongated feet. Some people call his longer foot “hare-like.”
Living with Chinese Crested
With silky double coat and soft, flowing hair on the head, feet, and tail, the breed should be shaved to protect the skin. Prone to minor skin problems, the Hairless should be bathed frequently with a high-quality shampoo and you should check for any blackheads while grooming.
Also you should groom your Crested at a young age, which provides you with the opportunity to bond with your puppy as well as check for any signs of illness that your dog may be showing.
Daily brushing is required to avoid matting, and a pin or bristle brush is best.
Washing every day with a gentle cleanser and moisturizing with a dog-safe lotion or oil will help keep his looking best.
The dog should be towelled off and blow-dried to prevent him from getting chilled or his coat from getting over dried
Brush their teeth several times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it.
Trim his nails once or twice a month if your dog doesn’t wear them down naturally to prevent painful tears and other problems.
Daily short walks or dashing around the house with his owner and play-sessions in his backyard can meet the needs of the Chinese Crested generally.
He is not a good jogging companion, but mental stimulation is important for him.
Too much exercise is not good for the Toller puppies, whose joints and bones are still growing and too much pressure on them could lead to a few problems later on in their lives.
Tough and little, the dogs are very competitive in canine sports. Cresteds enjoy playing outside, especially in pleasant weather. Outdoor exercise is fit for the breed, but care must be taken to use either sunscreen or place protective clothing on him.
A high-quality dog food should be given to the Chinese Crested to satisfy the nutrients need of the dog and the amount of dog food should appropriate to the dog’s age, size, activity level and metabolism.
Prone to getting overweight, you should watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Although treats can help a lot in training, but giving too many can lead to obesity, which may cause many health conditions.
You’d better feed a mature dog twice a day, but don’t leave the food out all the time.
Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Responsible breeders should learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If there are any doubts about your dog’s diet and weight, check with your vet.
In general, the Chinese Crested is healthy with an average life expectancy of 10 and 12 years. Potential hereditary defects and disorders commonly found, but not necessarily found, such as progressive retinal atrophy, allergies, legg-calve-perthes disease, patellar luxation, glaucoma, dental problems and skin problems. And it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed.
Responsible breeders consistently screen their breeding stock for health conditions that are known to occur in the Chinese Crested. Some recommended health tests that should be done include ophthalmologist evaluation, patella evaluation, cardiac exam, PRA-RCD3 DNA test and PLL DNA test.
Brushing teeth with toothpastes designed for the breed is necessary. His ears should be checked weekly for redness or a bad odor, which can indicate an infection.
Besides, the breeder should learn about some symptoms and know what to do when the dog suffers from health problems.
Total Annual Cost: $2311.2
Cost is estimated for the first year and may vary depending on many factors, such as dog food, health care, leash, collar, licensing, possible fencing, crates, training and obedience classes, dog-walking, grooming, treats, toys, flea, tick, and heart-worm meds, microchips, etc.
The Chinese Crested enjoying spending time with his owner, which makes him a great candidate for competitive sports, such as obedience, agility and flyball and they are generally easy to train.
Delicate and small, Chinese Cresteds are not suited to hunting.
With a very sensitive nature and stubborn streak, they must be trained with gentle patience. Harsh words and negative actions may damage your relationship so that he will not be interested in learning further from you.
Socialization is necessary and separate small-dog puppy classes can help a lot, where your dog can socialize with similarly sized dogs.
Crate training at a young age is a kind way to ensure that your breed doesn’t have accidents in the house or get into things he shouldn’t. A crate is also a place where he can retreat for a nap. But you shouldn’t stick your Chinese Crested in a crate all day long.
History
Despite their name, Chinese Crested dogs don’t really come from China. They evolved from African or Mexico (no one is certain which). The Chinese were responsible for reducing the size of the dog.
The Crested is believed to have accompanied Chinese sailors on the high seas as early as 1530, hunting for rats and vermin during and between times of plague. By the middle of the 19th century, the Crested began to appear in numerous European paintings.
Earlier names of the Chinese Crested include Chinese Hairless, the Chinese Edible Dog, the Chinese Ship Dog, and the Chinese Royal Hairless.
There was a stage performer called Gypsy Rose Lee. She loved them so much when her sister gave her one, calling it Fu Man Chu. Later, she became a breeder, advocating for the dogs. Today, many Chinese Crested dogs can trace their lineage back to Lee lines.
The first North America breed club here was founded in 1974.
In America, the Chinese Crested Club started in 1979, entering the AKC Stud Books in 1991.
Helpful Information
Breed Club: AMERICAN CHINESE CRESTED CLUB, INC.
Breed Club Link: https://chinesecrestedclub.info/
Breed Club Rescue: